Rural Energy and Manufacturing: The Lifeblood of American Communities
Rural America beats with the rhythm of its industries: energy, manufacturing, farming, and ranching. These sectors are more than just sources of employment; they are the lifeblood of communities, supporting local economies, schools, and even the social fabric. As highlighted by Salena Zito, the war on industries like coal across Appalachia and the Midwest has devastating consequences that go far beyond job losses:
“Pickett, the plant safety chairman on the union side, told me that if this place is gone — if Edgar Thomson and Clairton are gone — it’s not just the product they make here that goes. It’s also the heart of the community — from the churches to the schools to the tax base — that goes.”
Salena Zito’s observations underscore the broader impact of political and economic decisions on rural communities. The war on coal, driven by ideological agendas, has left many small towns in ruin. The closure of coal facilities doesn’t just mean the loss of jobs; it means the loss of community identity, revenue, and the very fabric that holds these places together. As Pickett noted, the heart of the community is at stake.
Detractors who dismiss the importance of these industries often fail to see the full picture. It’s not just about jobs. It’s also about the tax base that funds schools and local services, the churches that provide spiritual and community support, and the sense of unity that comes from shared purpose and identity. When these industries disappear, they leave behind a vacuum. The fight for rural jobs, whether in energy, manufacturing, farming, or ranching, is a fight for the dignity and identity of rural communities.
These communities have weathered many storms, but the war on coal has been particularly devastating. It’s a war funded by billionaire ideologues that plays out in the Gilden lecture rooms, in the halls of power, and in the media, but with countless, very human impacts. They don’t see the empty storefronts, the closed schools, or the families struggling to make ends meet. They don’t understand that these industries are not just about economics, but they are about the very soul of rural America.
April 8, 2025